The Asthma Clinical Research Center’s goal is to conduct high quality translational research programs aimed at improving the lives of people with asthma.
 
We currently have trials funded by the NIH, pharmaceutical companies and the American Lung Association.  OSU is one of 20 national centers that participate in the American Lung Association’s Asthma Clinical Research Network.  Studies done by the ACRC network are aimed at answering important clinical questions that can improve the care and quality of life of people with asthma.  Our current trial as part of this network is the SARCA trial:

CHILDHOOD ASTHMA AND ACID REFLUX DISEASE: TREATING ONE CONDITION CAN RELIEVE THE OTHER

SARCA: Study of Acid Reflux and Childhood Asthma
Funded by the National Institute of Health’s National, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Acid reflux disease, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is frequent among people with poorly controlled asthma. It often occurs with no symptoms and can induce constriction of the airways. Poorly controlled asthma patients are frequently treated for GERD with drugs that suppress gastric acid, but this approach is expensive and its benefit has not been established. This clinical trial is testing the hypothesis that children with symptomatic asthma have improved asthma control when treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Three hundred children between the ages of 6 and 17 who have asthma that is not well controlled with inhaled steroids are being studied, and are randomly assigned to treatment with either a proton pump inhibitor or a placebo. The results will point the way to more effective methods to control acid reflux and prevent it from contributing to asthma.

We also have trials evaluating:
• the diagnosis of exercise induce asthma
• role of asthma in cystic fibrosis
• role of exercise in asthma treatment
• trials of new pharmaceutical agents for asthma therapy.

The OSU Asthma Clinical Research Center is under the direction of John Mastronarde, MD.

For more information contact the Pulmonary Clinical Trials Program at 614-293-4978 or Lung.Research@osumc.edu

Other helpful web sites for information on asthma:

American Lung Association
American Thoracic Association
American College of Chest Physicians
National Institutes of Health
Mothers of Asthmatics